Reciprocating Piston Fluid Mixing for Precise Water Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for automatic testing and chemical control of water bodies, particularly in swimming pools and cooling towers, face challenges such as laborious sampling, inaccurate readings due to algae or mineral buildup, and safety concerns with chlorine dioxide production and handling, as well as the need for precise sanitiser level control and pH monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a reciprocating piston in a reaction chamber that allows precise measurement and mixing of small fluid volumes, incorporating an optic value analyser for accurate testing and analysis, including the ability to produce chlorine dioxide safely by precise measurement of reactants, and a closed system to prevent gas release, which also simplifies cleaning and reduces the need for probe maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If flow through cells are used for automatic sampling and colorimetric analysis, then automation is improved, but optical transparency deteriorates due to algae or mineral buildup requiring frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the analysis function from a continuous flow system to a discrete batch system. Samples are taken from the flow, placed in individual cuvettes, and analyzed separately. This removes the cuvette from the flowing water stream, preventing algae and mineral buildup that compromise optical transparency, while maintaining automation through robotic handling and analysis.
2Ease of manufacture
If chlorine dioxide is produced by adding sodium chloride to acid, then production simplicity is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of toxic gas evolution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an intermediary substance (sodium chlorite) between the starting materials (sodium chloride and acid) and the final product (chlorine dioxide). Sodium chlorite is first prepared and stored as a stable intermediate, then reacted with acid to produce chlorine dioxide. This intermediary step allows for controlled production and storage without the safety risks of directly mixing sodium chloride and acid.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by pre-preparing and storing sodium chlorite solution before it is needed for chlorine dioxide generation. This advance preparation allows the system to store a stable intermediate rather than unstable reactants, and enables controlled, on-demand production of chlorine dioxide when acid is added, preventing uncontrolled gas evolution.
3Reliability
If probes are used for continuous monitoring of water parameters, then real-time detection is improved, but maintenance complexity increases due to frequent cleaning and calibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, maintenance-intensive probes with inexpensive, disposable cuvettes containing samples. Each cuvette is used once for analysis and then discarded, eliminating the need for continuous cleaning and calibration of sensing elements. The automation is maintained through robotic handling of these disposable containers.
4Device complexity
If manual sampling and testing methods are used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements self-service through automation where the system performs sampling, reagent addition, mixing, and analysis without human intervention. A robotic arm handles cuvette manipulation, pumps control reagent delivery, and a colorimeter performs measurements. This allows the system to service itself, maintaining simplicity while dramatically improving productivity and testing efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables precise and safe testing and treatment of water samples, reducing labor and improving accuracy, while ensuring safe handling of chlorine dioxide and eliminating the need for frequent probe cleaning, thus enhancing water quality monitoring and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a reciprocatable piston in said chamber... said piston is operable within said chamber to selectively and precisely vary the internal volume of said chamber
Implementation Method 2
an optic value analyser for accurate testing and analysis
Implementation Method 3
Principally there are two ways of producing chlorine dioxide, by the oxidation of chlorite or the reduction of chlorates
Implementation Method 4
Principally there are two ways of producing chlorine dioxide, by the oxidation of chlorite or the reduction of chlorates
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for measuring a range of small volumes of fluids to a high degree of precision, said apparatus including: a) a single reaction chamber (20); b) a piston (30) operable within said chamber to selectively and precisely vary the internal volume of said chamber; c) a first inlet (41) to said chamber in communication with one or more fluid sources of which a portion of a first fluid of said one or more fluids is adapted to be drawn into said chamber; d) at least one further inlet (43) including a second inlet to said chamber in communication with one or more fluid sources of which a portion of a second fluid of said one or more fluids is adapted to be drawn into said chamber; and e) a sealable outlet (45), wherein said piston is adapted to progressive draw said portion of a second fluid into said chamber until either accurare metering of a volume of said first or second portion of fluid is achived or a reaction involving said first and second portions in said chamber (such as a titration reaction) is completed.